[Fox944]

Anyone know off hand what the towing capacity of a 6cylinder Cayenne is? I may be trading my Audi for an early Cayenne (03-05) and was most interested in finding a 6-Speed Manual 6 cylinder Cayenne.

My concern is whether or not a 6 cyl Cayenne could safely tow my 968 on an aluminum open trailor.

Any imput would be appreciated. I dont have much experiance with towing.

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[flash]

we eliminated the cayenne as a tow vehicle for multiple reasons - it's too short in wheelbase for stability at higher speeds - also, the tow capacity was not as high as we wanted for our trailer (which admittedly is a lot heavier)

keep in mind that tow capacity is based on flat ground and 55mph - whatever your listed capacity - don't go over about 75% of that

you would probably be fine for short tows, but i wouldn't take it out on long hauls

this has nothing to do with the engine size either, though the drivetrain could be an issue if they use a smaller one of those with the smaller engine

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[Darryl]

<!--quoteo(post=73713:date=Jun 11 2009, 11:00 AM:name=Fox944)-->QUOTE (Fox944 @ Jun 11 2009, 11:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Anyone know off hand what the towing capacity of a 6cylinder Cayenne is? I may be trading my Audi for an early Cayenne (03-05) and was most interested in finding a 6-Speed Manual 6 cylinder Cayenne.

My concern is whether or not a 6 cyl Cayenne could safely tow my 968 on an aluminum open trailor.

Any imput would be appreciated. I dont have much experiance with towing.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


I'm considering the exact same thing. I have a very nice Featherlite 3110, but no title, which I have someone working on as I write this, so my fingers are crossed. My Explorer Sport Trac is getting up there in miles and I'm on the lookout for a Cayenne to replace my 4WD utility vehicle. I've heard the Cayenne is awesome in the snow, so I'm looking based on creature comforts as well as the ability to tow. I too have no experience with towing.

I've heard to stay away from the early Cayennes due to electrical (and potentially other?) problems but the prices are really hard to argue with. I wouldn't be pulling heavy loads or long hauls as Flash warns, but I think you'd be better off with a Cayenne S with the bigger engine. I was planning on towing with my Sport Trac which has the 4.0L V6 and according to my math, it's right on the edge, so the 4.5L V8 would probably be better. Also, there are no manual Cayennes...they are all 6 speed tiptronic.

Keep this thread updated and perhaps we can help each other out as info becomes known.

- Darryl

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[DiREW0LF]

A long wheel base for towing is generally better than a short one but I have towed some heavy trailers with my Range Rover (about the same wheel base as the Cayenne) and it was more stable at highway speeds than my Denali XL and much more comfortable. The only complaint was the Rangie had less power so for long hill climbs you would have to put it into low range so to not work the engine too hard. The Cayenne can't be too bad of a tow vehicle since I see a ton of them hauling racecars to Pocono, LimeRock and Watkins Glen.

The Cayenne GTS is a 6 speed and Tip is an option. No cost option.

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[Fox944]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Darryl, There are 6 Speed Manual Cayenne's. The New GTS is avail with a Manual Transmission. The Previous generation 3.2L 6-Cyl Cayenne was also avail with a Manual Transmission. They are very rare and tuff to find. I have looked at a couple of them, but wasnt ready to pull the trigger yet.

The reason i'm interested in the 6Cyl is because i'm going to need to save as much money as i can in the near future. The 6cyl should cost less to insure and would get better gas mileage. More importantly, the Manual Transmission was only avail with the 6 cylinder on the early models.

Here are a couple for sale in my area. (NYC Metro)

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u...;standard=false

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u...;standard=false

I need to figure out what the towing capacity of a Manual Transmission 3.2 V6 Cayenne is.

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[banditsc]

<!--quoteo(post=73723:date=Jun 11 2009, 02:27 PM:name=Darryl)-->QUOTE (Darryl @ Jun 11 2009, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'm considering the exact same thing. I have a very nice Featherlite 3110, but no title, which I have someone working on as I write this, so my fingers are crossed.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

If you can't get a title, let me know, I might be interested in the trailer. Down here in SC, trailers do not need to be registered.

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[Darryl]

<!--quoteo(post=73730:date=Jun 11 2009, 03:17 PM:name=Fox944)-->QUOTE (Fox944 @ Jun 11 2009, 03:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Darryl, There are 6 Speed Manual Cayenne's. The New GTS is avail with a Manual Transmission. The Previous generation 3.2L 6-Cyl Cayenne was also avail with a Manual Transmission. They are very rare and tuff to find. I have looked at a couple of them, but wasnt ready to pull the trigger yet.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


OK, I stand corrected...I think I knew the latest model GTS was available as a manual, but didn't think any of the early ones were. Were any "S" 8 cyl avail as manual? I could dig that, but the wife may not be too enthused and that's assuming she'd want/need to drive it anyway! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]

Owner's manual should list towing capacities...I know a few in my area I could try to contact or see what can be found on line.

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[mike]

I towed with a 6-cyl VW Touareg automatic with no problem other than being slightly underpowered. The Touareg is the same platform as the Cayenne and rated to 7750 lbs tow capacity. And the 6-cyl Cayenne has more HP than the 6-cyl Touareg. It is a short wheelbase as has been mentioned but I never had any problems with swaying. It was fairly flat everywhere that I towed except for a trip from Orlando to Barber in Birmingham. I just had to plan for the uphills by building up a little speed. I now have a V8 Touareg with the Air Ride suspension and much more power for towing.

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[flash]

yeah - try coming down off a hill at speed - it can get pretty scarey

realistic tow capacity of that rig is about 5800 - but remember that this is total capacity, including passengers, gear and everything - it can get pretty darned close with a 2000lb aluminum trailer, a 3000lb car, 2 people and a bit of luggage

be careful and go slow

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[rxter]

<!--quoteo(post=73723:date=Jun 11 2009, 11:27 AM:name=Darryl)-->QUOTE (Darryl @ Jun 11 2009, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I was planning on towing with my Sport Trac which has the 4.0L V6 and according to my math, it's right on the edge, so the 4.5L V8 would probably be better.

Keep this thread updated and perhaps we can help each other out as info becomes known.

- Darryl<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I had a Ranger 4.0 auto with no tow package. Routinely pulled 3500 - 3800 lb boats all over the place. It had 98K on it and was going strong when I let her go.

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[flash]

that long wheelbase will help make up for a lower towing capacity - still likely beyond the capacity, but not as dangerous as having it whip around due to the short wheelbase - also, boats tend to be easier to tow than car trailers - the weight distribution is very balanced by design

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[Fox944]

again,

Thank you for all the enlightment guys. Looks like a Manual Cayenne will get the job done. I dont really care for the extra speed/power of the Cayenne S. Right now the important things are insurance, gas mileage, & i always prefer manual over automatic. So the Cayenne 3.2L V6 seems to be the way to go. I don't plan to do much towing, but i will be needing a tow vehicle that can dub as a family car and a good winter car.

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[flash]

do yourself a favor - if you plan to buy one, rent one for a day, go out and spend another 50 bucks and rent a u-haul trailer, put your car on it, and give it a try - at least that way you'll know for sure if it's for you or not

better to spend a couple hundred on a "test" and have it not work out than to keep paying for the car and not be able to use it for what you want

did that with the grand cherokee - not fun

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[Fox944]

My problem is finding a 6cyl Cayenne to rent. I know a rental agency near by that has a cayenne S i could rent. I'm not sure if it has a towing package on it (will have to call and check).

I'll try and find one to rent.

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[banditsc]

One of the Porsche dealers down here uses them for their courtesy vehicles. I'm sure a local dealer would be willing to let you use one for the day for free or a price, if he heard you were interested in buying.

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[Kim]

I have a V6 Cayenne with the 6 speed tip. I don't tow anything although I did try it once. The computer knows when a trailer is on and adjusts the shifting accordingly - I would not want a manual for that reason alone if I was planning to tow. I don't think that V6s were available until 06. 6 speed manuals are very uncommon. The vehicle is short on power but is good in snow. I had two cars then and really didn't need the horsepower. you will save very little money in fuel with a V6 as you will probably rev it more to get the power. I did replace the front differential at about 175,000 km and the coil paks at 165,000 (they broke off and made the car undriveable). I bought the vehicle with 36,000 km and have had it two years. I have had a LOT of problems with lights and specifically the connection of the light pod to the body. It has been in the shop about 20 times for that. But otherwise it is a lot of fun to drive as it does outhandle all of the other SUVs on the road.

It chews up rear tires REALLY fast.

Any other info needed let me know.

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[flash]

having towed with a manual transmission, i definitely agree - that was the herky jerky experience for sure - also, getting started with a clutch was a stinky proposition

i would be looking at a different vehicle for incidental towing, including perhaps a rental - if towing is in the cards on a regular basis, then i would be looking at something that is truck based, with a full frame (not a unibody), solid rear axle, automatic (with tow programming) - i would look at the longest wheelbase you can live with and the largest drivetrain you can live with - consider the brakes too

drivetrain is a big deal though - i have already overloaded the front diff, the trans, and the transfer case - this is in a vehicle designed for this - i should have gotten the 3/4 ton rig rather than the half ton - many warranties do not allow you to tow - look at that too

unfortunately there is no real compromise vehicle - that which you would prefer to drive on the street, is not up to real towing - that which is up to real towing you would not want to drive on a daily basis

i think we hit a compromise with our rig, but it took some doing and some significant mods to get there - even still, it is at its limits with over 400hp, 450 ft/lbs, huge brakes, bigger suspension, and additional cooling - it is the smallest thing we could come up with that could do the job, and frankly the only reason it works is because the trailer has 4 wheel brakes with a really good controller

towing is no joke - think long and hard about that one

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[coloradocab]

BTW, a 968 friend here tows his car behind a Cayenne S on an open trailer, and reports it does great. He does no real long-haul towing, though...just within the State to various racetracks.

I can verify that the Cayenne is terrific in the snow. We've had ours for a few years now, and have no regrets. It's a terrific vehicle.

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[flash]

yup - everyone i know who has one loves it - i'm definitely not slagging the cayenne - i know a few who tow short distances too - however, i have heard horror stories about long haul towing, and even short towing at higher speeds - it's all good until you need to slow down in a hurry

but then, this is not specific to the cayenne by any means either - when i was young and stupid i dragged a 66 dodge van behind a datsun pickup - it was "fine" too, until i had to stop - even the grand cherokee had the typical issues too - nice V8 in there, beefed up suspension, bigger wheels with lower profile tires, yada yada - a bit too short in the wheelbase though, and definitely not enough brakes for a trailer without them (or worse with surge brakes - those things should be illegal)

i've had more than my fair share of fishtailing trailers, jackknifing braking, and just about any kind of scary nightmare you can imagine dragging a trailer - i've been lucky and learned from the experiences

caution - kids don't try this at home - conducted by trained professionals - i know what to do when trouble happens - yada yada:

a test i conduct when considering towing is to get the car up to speeds, starting at 30 mph going all the way to 70mph and then nearly lock up the brakes at each speed - i also take the rig up to speeds of about 90mph and let off the gas to see how stable it is, just in case i have a big downhill (like coming out of denver) where i might have a runaway situation

all i am saying is absolutely go out and try it before buying it and regretting the decision - call some trailer companies - see what they say - call some rental agencies and see what they say about renting you a trailer

nobody wants to see anybody get killed because they tried something that was not safe

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[banditsc]

<!--quoteo(post=73842:date=Jun 12 2009, 08:46 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Jun 12 2009, 08:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->i also take the rig up to speeds of about 90mph and let off the gas to see how stable it is, just in case i have a big downhill (like coming out of denver) where i might have a runaway situation<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Or when you have crazy truckers coming up from behind you. I recently was towing a 911 home, and jumped out in the fast lane to get around a tractor trailer, was doing about 75 the speed limit to get around him. As soon as I got out another tractor trailer came up behind me out of nowhere and proceded to barrel down on me. I stepped on it and brought it up to 95 to get back in the right lane, at 95 he was about running over my trailer. Fortunately my passenger was a police officer and the trucker didn't last to long after he made a phone call.

Here's my tow rig, does fine for me, it has a V8, plenty of suspension, and plenty of brakes especially with trailer brakes.

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